What's Happening?
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP30, scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, will feature dedicated Tourism Thematic Days on November 19-20, 2025. This initiative, under the theme 'Tourism
Climate Action: For a Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient Future,' aims to highlight tourism's role in climate solutions. Building on the success of the first Tourism Day at COP29 in Baku, the event is a collaborative effort between Brazil's Ministry of Tourism and UN Tourism, with support from UNEP. The program will bring together ministers, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society to explore how tourism can contribute to climate solutions across various sectors, including energy, biodiversity, and finance. The event will also focus on tourism's potential to support sustainable livelihoods and resilient communities, particularly in regions dependent on healthy ecosystems and cultural heritage.
Why It's Important?
Tourism is a significant global industry that is both affected by and contributes to climate change. By integrating tourism into the climate action agenda, COP30 aims to leverage the sector's potential to drive sustainable practices and reduce carbon emissions. This initiative underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in transforming tourism into a low-carbon and resilient industry. The focus on tourism at COP30 highlights the sector's unique position to influence sustainable development, support regenerative economies, and promote inclusive growth. The event's outcomes could lead to enhanced governance frameworks, practical measures to mitigate climate risks, and increased access to finance for sustainable tourism projects.
What's Next?
The Tourism Thematic Days at COP30 will include high-level and technical events, both in-person and online, to facilitate broader participation. The discussions are expected to strengthen the implementation of the Glasgow Declaration Initiative on Climate Action in Tourism and operationalize new governance instruments. Brazil, as the host country, will share its experiences in developing a national climate plan for tourism, aiming to inspire collective action. The outcomes of these discussions could influence future policy decisions and investments in sustainable tourism, potentially setting a precedent for other sectors to follow.
